Panel board construction



Nov. 24, 1959 Filed June 12, 1953 W. H. EDMUNDS PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. (Mu/4M lmeaw fin /v0:

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PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1953 Nov. 24, 1959 w. H. EDMUNDS 2,914,703

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 3 3 NH I H N M H I lrrwrwgk:

Nov. 24, 1959 w. H. EDMUNDS 2,914,708

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN T R. M404 Moran flMIW BY I OJQARR Nov. 24, 1959 w, EDMUNDS 2,914,708

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed June 12, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V EN TOR. M4144 #0904 o Eam/ya:

Nov. 24, 1959 w. H. EDMUNDS PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 12, 1953 I la/ OQMQM q DAL-s1 United States Patent PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION William Harold Edmunds, Havertown, Pa., assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application June 12, 1953, Serial No. 361,223

7 Claims. (Cl. 317-419) My invention relates to a panel board for circuit breakers and is more particularly directed to a novel arrangement wherein two plug-in circuit breakers can be attached to a single terminal. This application is an improvement of the panel boards set forth in copending applications Serial No. 220,893, filed April 13, 1951, now Patent No. 2,737,613, and Serial No. 291,090, filed June 2, 1952, now Patent No. 2,766,405.

In prior art arrangements, panel board constructions provided independent and individual mountings for the mounting block and for the circuit breakers to be secured therto. Thus, it was necessary to provide a first means to secure the mounting block to an appropriate channel or supporting means and to also provide support means to secure the circuit breaker to the mounting block. In addition, these prior art panel boards also required that a clamping means or the like he removed or disassembled prior to the removal or placement of a circuit breaker on the panel board.

In the construction of my invention, I provide a novel arrangement wherein a clamping element serves the dual function of both securing the mounting block to its supporting channel and also serves as a securing and position unit for the circuit breakers.

In addition to having this single unit perform a dual function, the novel construction of the arrangement permits the circuit breakers to be removably mounted on the block without the necessity of disconnecting, adjusting or altering any auxiliary clamping or holding means.

Further disadvantages have been encountered in the prior art panel board arrangement. In the so-called imbedded panel board wherein the mounting block is molded around the bus bar assembly, the degree of flexibility and adaptability of the panel board arrangement was severely curtailed and limited.

In my novel arrangement, I provide a construction whereby the bus bar can be independently constructed for any desirable length and thereafter secured with associated terminal connectors to the mounting block immediately prior to the installation of the mounting block at its location of use. That is, the bus assemblies can be mounted to the mounting block immediately prior to its installation at the location of use since the bus bars are not molded within the mounting block. Furthermore, since the bus bar and associated terminal connections are mounted on the block immediately prior to its installation, they can be stocked in any desirable length and thereafter cut to predetermined dimensions to fit the particular installation.

Many other disadvantages of the prior art arrangement are overcome with my novel unit. For example, the outer bus bar assemblies of my block are identical in construction and interchangeable thereby substantially reducing the stock requirements.

Furthermore, the above mentioned clamping means is utilized as a multiple clamping unit wherein a single clamping member is effective to position and secure any desirable number of circuit breakers on the mounting block.

Furthermore, this clamping unit can be stocked in lengths of many feet and cut to any desired length at the time the unit is installed.

Other desirable features of my invention result from a novel overlap interlock design of the mounting block whereby (a) rigidity and strength of the unit is greatly increased; (b) to prevent a conducting member from falling between the outside and center bus and thereby avoid short circuiting; (c) a trap or stop gap prevents insulating or sealing compound from flowing through to the base; (d) facilitates assembly and eliminates the possibility of mis-assembly; (e) results in a compact unit; and (1) provides for automatic alignment of the plurality of cooperating mounting blocks.

Another novel feature of my invention is the provision of transverse grooves which extend the entire width of the molding block between the two outer grooves so that the strap members to the connecting terminals can emanate from either the first, second or third bus bar. Thus, the block is easily and readily adaptable for both a single phase and a three phase source. With this arrangement, I provide a single row of terminal members which are in alignment in the direction of the bus bars. By providing a novel method of attachment wherein each circuit breaker is provided with a female connecting member at one corner thereof, and accessible from both the bottom and side of the circuit breaker, two circuit breakers can be attached to a single terminal member.

Furthermore, this construction permits the circuit breaker to be removably rotated into and out of engagement with the terminal member of the panel board without the necessity of removing any clamping means.

A still further advantage of my panel board, which is inherent in its construction, is its adaptability to sequence phase loading whereby alternate single pole circuit breakers are alternately connected to a different phase of a three phase line, and this arrangement provides for a balanced line.

The bus bars used in my novel panel board, prior to the attachment and assembly of the strap terminal members thereof, are similar in construction irrespective of the phase to which they are eventually attached.

Also, by providing a novel type of strap connector unit to be secured to the bus bar, it is possible to readily adapt the bus bar assembly for use in either a single or three phase line.

Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is to provide a novel panel board arrangement wherein the bus bar assembly can be constructed independently and secured to its mounting block immediately prior to the installation of the unit at its location of use.

Another object of my invention isto provide a novel construction wherein a single row of terminal means are in alignment in the direction of the bus bars each of which are adaptable to receive two circuit breakers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel construction wherein two clamping units are effective to secure the mounting block to its supporting channel and position and secure the circuit breakers to the mounting block.

Another object of my invention is to provide a panel board assembly in which the terminal connectors are equally spaced and positioned for both single phase and three phase assemblies.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a panel board arrangement which is readily adaptable for either single phase or three phase installation in which the outer bus assemblies are identical in construction and can be used interchangeably.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an overlap interlock key arrangement in the mounting block to achieve rigidity, strength, facilitate assembly, insure longitudinal alignment of the plurality of mounting blocks, provide a compact unit, and prevent insulating compound or conducting materials from falling through the joints.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel design fora panel board block which is readily adaptable for either single phase or three phase application and permits sequence phase load of the source when used in a three phase to thereby provide a balanced line.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel clamping means for a panel board arrangement which provides for the securement and attachment of a plurality of circuit breakers, automatically positions the circuit breakers so that they will be in alignment with their respective terminal members, secures the mounting block to its supporting channel and can be cut in desired lengths at the time the mounting block is installed at the location of use.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a panel board construction wherein the bus bar assembly can be positioned on the mounting block at the location of use since the bus bar assembly is not molded in the mounting block.

Another object of my invention is to provide for trans verse grooves in the mounting block which extend be tween the two outer bus bars to thereby facilitate and render the mounting block adaptable for use on either a single phase or three phase line.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of a mounting block and circuit breaker wherein the latter units can be removably mounted on the block by means of rotational movement without the necessity of altering or adjusting any units.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit breaker arrangement having a female terminal member at one corner thereof communicating with both the bottom and side walls of the circuit breaker to enable the unit to be rocked into connecting position and also enable two circuit breakers to be secured to a single terminal member.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my novel panel board arrangement assembled for a three phase line and illustrates the single row of terminal connecting members extending in alignment in the direction of the bus bars.

Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of Figure 1 illustrating the relationship of the various parts which comprise my novel panel board arrangement.

Figure 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in Figure 1 and illustrates the inter-leaving or interconnection by means of the keyed steps when a plurality of blocks are assembled in alignment. This figure also shows the connection of the terminal connecting members to one of the outer bus bars.

Figure 4 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 44 of Figure l and illustrates the inter-leaving of the step keyed blocks which may be assembled in alignment for my novel panel board. This figure also shows the connection of the terminal connecting members to the center bus bar.

Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 and illustrates the arrangement by which the mounting block may be used to accommodate a single phase system. This figure illustrates the connecting members emanating only from the outer bus bars.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bus assembly and construction for a single phase system of Figure 5. This figure illustrates the manner in which the terminal connectors are secured and positioned on the outer bus bars.

Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 and illustrates the manner in which the plug-in breakers are secured to the panel board. This figure also illustrates the manner in which two independent circuit breakers can be removably secured to a single terminal connector.

Figure 8 is an end View of the arrangement of Figure 7. This figure illustrates by solid and dotted lines the manner in which a circuit breaker is secured in place by the clamping element and also illustrates the manner in which the circuit breaker can be rocked into position so that it is in removable engagement with the terminal connector of he mounting block.

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the manner in which the panel board and associated circuit breaker can be covered so that only the handles and ratings of the circuit breaker are visible.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the panel board of my invention comprises the following basic elements, a mounting block 10, a U-shaped channel member 11, bus bars A, B and C, clamping means 12 and 13, and terminal connectors 14A, 14B and 14C.

The mounting block it} is preferably a Bakelite molding and is provided with three longitudinal grooves 15A, 15B and 15C. The grooves 15A, 15B and 15C and the upper portion of the terminal block extend parallel to the outer extremities of the block and the groove 15B communicating with the lower edge of the mounting block 16 is centrally located therein. The grooves 15A and 15C, respectively, house the bus A and C and the center groove on the bottom 15B houses the bus B. In addition to the three longitudinal grooves 15A, 15B and 15C, eacii molding 10 is provided with three transverse channels 16, 17 and 18 which extend from the outer extremities of the longitudinal groove 15A to the outer extremities of the longitudinal groove 15C. It will be noted that the two transverse grooves 16 and 18 do not communicate with the bottom of the molding block 10, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. However, the centrally transverse groove 17, at the central portion thereof, communicates with the central longitudinal groove 1513. This is best seen in the sectional view of Figure 4.

When the bus assembly is connected in the manner illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the transverse groove 16 serves to position the terminal connecting member 14A which is keyed to the bus A; the channel 13 serves to position and maintain the terminal connecting means 14C which is connected to the bus C and the portion of the transverse groove 17 which communicates with the central lower longitudinal groove 15B maintains and positions the terminal connecting means 148 which is connected to the central bus B.

In addition to the grooves 15A, 15B and 15C and the three transverse channels 7.6, 17 and 18, the molded block 1%} is provided with a plurality of cut away portions which are indicated by the numeral 115. The plurality of cut away portions which communicate with the transverse channels 16, 17 and 18 serve to increase the creepage distance and thereby enable a substantial reduction in the size of the molded block 10 and still maintain sufiicient insulation and break-down distance between the phases A, B and C.

As will hereinafter be more apparent by providing transverse grooves 16, 17 and 18, which extend for the entire width of the molding block it it is possible to make a single molded block 19 adaptable for either three phase or single phase applications. Thus, for example, in the three phase arrangement of Figure 1, each of the three channels 16, and 18 maintains a terminal connector emanating from a difierent bus bar. However, since the channels 16, 17 and 18 extend the entire width of the molded block 10, it will be apparent that the terminal connector in any one channel 16, 17, or 18 can be so connected to emanate from either bus bar A, B or C.

In addition to the longitudinal grooves 15A, 15B and 15C, the transverse channels 16, 17 and 1S, and the plurality of recesses 18, the molded block is also provided with an opening 20A and 21A, as seen in Figure 3,

a portion of which communicates with the longitudinal groove 15A. In like manner, grooves 20C and 21C are provided on the opposite side of the block communicating with the longitudinal groove 15C. These grooves or openings 20A, 21A and 20B, 21B serve to house and position the nuts and screws such as 30A, 40A as seen in Figure 3. The openings such as 20A are preferably provided with a cross-sectional area having the configuration of the nut 40A so that the bus bar can be assembled on the block without additional means needed to maintain the nut 40A in position.

The bus bars such as A, and C, are provided with openings 50A, 51A and 50C, 51C, respectively. These openings or holes 50 and 51 in the bus bars communicate with the openings 20 and 21 of the molded block 10. The bus bar assembly is best seen in the exploded perspective view of Figure 2.

For the three phase arrangement of the panel board, two types of terminal connecting means are provided. The terminal connecting means 14A and 14C are identical in construction and the terminal connecting means 14B is L-shaped in construction. The terminal connecting means 14A is provided with an appropriate opening 71A in the protruding section 72A and the entire unit is positioned below the bus bar A, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3.

- A groove section 74A is cut below the surface of the main longitudinal groove 15A to provide a seat for the protruding section 72A of the terminal connecting means 14A. The opening 71A in the protruding section 72A of the terminal connecting member 14A is positioned in alignment with the opening 50A of the bus A. Thus, the screw 30A can be positioned through the two openings and threaded with the nut 40A in the opening 20A.

It will be noted that in the three phase arrangement, the opening 51A is not used. However, if desired, screw means 31A may be inserted therein and threaded to a nut seated in the opening 21A. However, as will hereinafter be apparent, the opening 51A in the bus bar A is provided so that a single bus bar can be adapted for either three phase or single phase assembly.

The terminal connector 14C is attached to the bus bar C in substantially the same manner as set forth in connection with terminal connector 14A above. An L- shaped terminal connecting member 14B is provided for the center bus bar B. The molded block is provided with a threaded insert 80 which communicates with a cut away portion 81 of the longitudinal groove B. Thus, the L-shaped terminal connecting member 14B can be rigidly secured to both the molded block 10 and the center bus bar B by passing an appropriate opening 83 inthe center bus bar and an opening 84 in an extension of the L-shaped member 14B into threaded engagement with the threaded insert 80. Thus, the single screw means 82 serves to electrically connect the L-shaped terminal member 14 to the center bus bar B and also serves to secure this combination to the molded block 10.

It will therefore be apparent from a study of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 that the terminal connecting members 14A, 14B and 14C emanate from and are mechanically and electrically connected respectively to the bus bars A, B and C. In the illustration of Figures 1 through 4, the terminal connecting means 14A, 14B and 140, there is illustrated the preferred means of mechanically and electrically attaching the terminal connectors 14A, 14B and 14C to the bus bars A, B and C by means of the screws such as 30A and 31C which also serve to secure the bus assembly to the molded housing. However, it will be noted that another desirable arrangement is possible wherein the terminal connector means 14 can be riveted or secured in any desirable manner to the bus bars prior to attachment on the mounting block 10. Thus, although this will not eliminate the necessity for screws such as 30A and 31C, which will still be needed to secure the bus assembly to the molded block 10, it will enable complete fabrication of the bus assembly prior to its attachment to the mounting block 10. Also, these terminal members 14A, 14B and 14C are in alignment in the direction of the bus bars even though the bus bars are not in longitudinal alignment nor in the same plane.

It will also be noted that with the exception of the terminal connecting members 14A, 14B and 14C that all of the conducting components of the bus assembly are either at the highest level of the molded block 10 or below the surface. Thus, for example, a circuit breaker could rest on the surfaces indicated by the numerals in Figure 1 without coming into engagement with the bus bar C.

As theretofore noted, the screws such as 30A, 31C and 82 serve the dual function of electrically connecting the terminal connecting members to their respective bus bars and also secure the bus assembly to the mounting block. Hence, the bus assembly can be rigidly secured to the mounting block prior to the assembly thereof within member 11. The channel member 11 is a U-shaped metallic member preferably having an insulating sheet 92 on a lower surface thereof. The U-shaped channel 11 is provided with a plurality of openings such as 93 for the attachment of the clamping means hereinafter more fully described.

It will be noted in the views of Figures 3 and 4 that the channel member 11 is not restricted to the lack of a single block 10 but may be made equal to the length of the desired final assembly unit which may be for example having five or six molded blocks such as 10 assembled in alignment.

The substantial Z-shaped clamping means 12 and 13 respectively are secured to opposite sides of the upward extending walls of the U-shaped channel 11. This is done by passing the screws 94 through the openings 93 in the channel 11 into threaded engagement with the threaded holes 95 of the clamping means 12 and 13. Each of the clamping means such as 12 and 13 is provided with an opening 97 at one "bend which receives the protruding section 96 of the molded block 10. Thus, after the molded block 10 is positioned in the opening of the channel member 11, the screws 94 may be tightened when the opening 97 of the clamping means is in alignment with the protrusion 96.

The molded block 10 is provided with a step portion 100 on each side thereof. In like manner, the clamping means 12 and 13 is provided with a bent protruding section 101 which seats in the step portion 100, of the molded block 10. Hence, after the unit is assembled, as seen in Figure 1, the molded block 10 is restrained from having transverse movement due to the seating of the bent portion 101 in the step section 100 of the molded block 10. That is, the distance between the points 100 on the block 10 is equal to the distance between the bent sections 101, 101 of the clamping means 12 and 13 after these units have been secured to the U-shaped channel 11.

The keying arrangement between the protrusion 96 of the block 10 and the opening 97' in the clamping means 12 and 13 prevents the longitudinal movement of the molded block 10. Hence, it will be apparent that after the unit is assembled, as indicated in Figure 1, the clamping means 12 and 13 will positively position the molded block 10 and prevent both longitudinal and transverse movement thereof. It should also be noted that the clamping means 12, 13 also firmly holds the block 10 against the insulating sheet 92 on the base of the U-shaped channel 11.

It will be noted that the molded block 10 may be provided with openings and 111 communicating with the upper and lower surfaces thereof to provide alternative means for securing the block to a channel member.

The assembly unit, as indicated in Figure 1, illustrates the end portion of the panel board which is to be connected to the source.

The central bus bar B has an upward bent section 117, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 so that it will be in the same plane as bus bars A and C.

Appropriate terminal connecting means such as 118A, 1188 and 118C may be connected respectively to the bus bars A, B and C for attachment of source terminals thereto.

The ends of the molded block 1% are provided with stepped sections 126, 12.1 and thus, a plurality of molded blocks it may be positioned in alignment as seen in Figures 3 and 4. That is, the step sections 123 and 121 will interlock or key adjacent blocks to each other so that the assembly unit will have rigidity, strength, and provide a compact unit. Furthermore, this arrangement of the molded block will facilitate assembly and also prevent insulating or sealing compound, if used, from falling through the joints.

it will also be noted that this overlap interlock key arrangement adds to the creepage distance and thereby further enables the unit to be compact.

Thus, it will be noted that with my novel panel board arrangement illustrated and described in connection with Figures 1 through 4, it is possible to provide an arrangement wherein all of the conducting members of the bus assembly, with the exception of the terminal means, are positioned on or below the surface of the molding. However, by providing grooves and channels which communicate with the upper and lower surfaces of the mounting block, it is possible to independently make the molded block, buses and terminal connecting means. After the various sections have been independently manufactured, the buses and their associated terminal means can be rigidly secured to the mounting block by screw means. The assembly unit of the mounting block and bus assembly can then be positioned in a channel member by means of clamping units which will position the assembled unit so that it will have no longitudinal or transverse movement. That is, the bus and associated terminal connectors can be mounted on the mounting block immediately prior to its installation at the location of use since the bus bars are not molded within the mounting block. Furthermore, since both the bus bars and their associated terminal connectors are mounted on the molded block immediately prior to installation, the bus bars can be stocked in any desirable length and thereafter cut to predetermined desired dimensions to fit a particular installation.

It is also noted that the outer bus bars are identical in construction and hence, interchangeable, thereby substantially reducing the stock requirements. ner, the clamping means for each side are not only identical but a single unit extends for the entire length of a plurality of assembled molded blocks. Hence, clamping units can be stocked in any desirable length and then cut to desired dimensions at the time the entire unit is installed.

Furthermore, the novel overlap interlock design for inter-connecting a plurality of blocks provides rigidity and strength for the assembled unit, facilitates both assembly and eliminates the possibility of mis-assembly, results in a compact unit, increases creepage distance and provides for automatic alignment of the plurality of cooperating mounting blocks.

Furthermore, the inherent design of the assembly unit insures an arrangement for a sequence phase loading whereby alternate single pole breakers are alternately connected to a different phase of the three phase line to insure that the source will be properly balanced.

Furthermore, additional simplicity of the unit is achieved by providing strap terminal connectors for the outer buses which are identical in construction when used in a three phase line and thus are interchangeable.

it is also noted that the terminal means, extending an equal distance on each side of the center line of the molded block are in alignment in the direction of the In like manbus bars and also provide an arrangement whereby two single pole circuit breakers can be connected to a single terminal unit.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate my novel panel board when assembled for single phase use. It will be noted that in this arrangement, the molded block 10 is of identical construction to the molded block 10 heretofore described in connection with Figures 1 through 5 as is true of the remaining components such as the U-shaped channel 10 and clamping means 12 and 13.

The construction of the bus bars A and C is identical to that heretofore disclosed with the three phase system of Figures 1 and 4. However, there is no bus bar seated in the central longitudinal groove 15B. Similar components of Figures 5 and 6 to those of Figures 1 and 4 are indicated by similar numerals.

As heretofore noted in connection with the three phase assembly of Figures 1 through 4, it was essential to provide an arrangement wherein every other terminal connector was secured to the same bus bar. Thus, for example, as seen in Figure 4, all of the terminal connectors 14B are connected to the bus bar B and as seen in Figure 3, all of the terminal connectors 14A are connected to the bus bar A. However, when the unit is to be assembled as a single phased unit, every other terminal connector must be connected or associated with the same bus bar. Thus, for example, starting at the left of the terminal block and comparing Figures 1 and 5, it is seen that the transverse channel 16 positions the terminal connector 14A to the bus bar A. This arrangement exists in both the three phase assembly of Figure 1 and in the single phase assembly of Figure 5.

In the three phase assembly of Figure l, the terminal connector 14B is secured to the center bus B. However, in the single phase arrangement of Figure 5, the terminal connector 14C seated in transverse channel 17 is connected to the outer bus C.

Again, comparing channels 17, the three phase arrangement of Figure 1 shows the terminal connector 14C connected to the bus bar C. However, in a single phase arrangement of Figure 5, the terminal connector 114A seated in the transverse channel 18 is connected to the bus bar A by means of the screw 31A in substantially the same manner as terminal connector 14A.

Thus, it will be seen by comparison of Figures 5 and 6 that in this single phase arrangement, every other terminal connector such as 14A and 114A are connected to the same bus bar i.e. A in the same manner that terminal connectors 14C and 114C are connected to the same bus bar i.e. C.

It will be noted that the terminal connectors 14A and 14C of Figures 5 and 6 are of identical construction to the terminal members 14A and 14C of Figures 1 through 4. Furthermore, the bus bars A and C with their respective holes or openings 50A, 51A and 56C, 51C of Figures 5 and 6 are identical in construction to the bus bars A and C of Figures 1 through 4.

However, for the single phase arrangement, it is necessary to provide socalled left hand terminal connecting units such as 114A so that alternate terminal connectors within a single block can be connected to adjacent holes such as SEPA and 51A by means of screws 31 and 31A within a single block.

Thus, it will be noted that the terminal connecting means 114A and 114C are identical in construction to each other. Accordingly, it will be noted that whereas for example, the transverse channel 17 for the three phase arrangement of Figure 1 was used to house the terminal connector which emanated from the bus bar C, the same channel 18 can be used to maintain the terminal connector 114A which is connected to the bus bar A in a single phase arrangment of Figures 5 and 6.

Accordingly, my novel molded block it) is adaptable for having a bus bar assembly of either a single or three phase construction secured and attached thereto. That 9 is, by providing transverse grooves which extend the entire width of the molded block, the terminal members I can emanate from either the first, or first, second or' third bus bar depending on whether the unit is to be assembled for either a single or three phase source. Thus, the arrangement'whereby the terminal connectors are in alignment in the direction of the bus bars and wherein the terminal connectors are equally spaced from each other is accomplished in my novel unit regardless of the phase of the source. That is, the channels 16, 17 and 18 of the molded block 10 will dictate the spacing of the terminal connnectorssuch as 14, 114. Thus, the spacing of the terminal connectors, as seen in the three phase arrangement of Figure 1 is equal to the spacing of the conductors of the single phase arrangement of Figure 5.

Thus, it is seen that by providing a novel type mounting block and terminal connectors, it is possible to construct either a single phase or three phase panel board arrangement with substantially the same components.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the manner in which the molded case circuit breakers are positioned on the mounting block 10 and secured to the terminal connectors 14 will now be described.

The panel board assembly illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is identical to that shown in Figures 1 through 4 but illustrate the manner in which the circuit breakers such as200 and 201 can be removably positioned and maintained on the mounting block in electrical connection with'the terminal connector 14.

In the illustration of these figures, I have shown a type of single pole molded case circuit breaker for which my invention is particularly adaptable. The construction of the novel circuit breaker which isto be used on my panel board willnow be described. The single pole molded case circuit breaker 200 is provided with a slot 203 which communicates with both the side wall 202 and the bottom 204. A slot 203 communicating with both the end wall 200 and the bottom 204 is also illustrated at the right hand of Figure 4.

)One jaw type terminal 206207 of the circuit breaker 200 is positioned within the slot 203. Hence, it will be apparent that access to the terminal 206, 207 of the circuit breaker 2 can be obtained through the portion of the slot 200 communicating with the bottom 204 or through the portion of the slot 203 communicating with .the end wall 202. The end opposite to the terminal 206, 207 contains the other terminal means such as 210 as illustrated in the breaker 201. It will be noted that the circuit breakers 202 and 201 are of identical construction and interchangeable.

In addition to the terminal 210, from which electrical connections to the load will be made, the circuit breaker is provided with a slot 211 which will receive prongs such as 213, 214, 215 and 216, 217, 218, respectively, of the clamping means 13 and 12. Thus, as seen in Figures 7 and 8, the breaker 201 is secured at its left end by means of the extending prong 13 which is seated in the slot or recess 211 and at the other end by means of the resilient engagement of the terminals 206, 207 with the terminal connector 14C. in this position the breaker 201 is connected to the bus bar C by means of the terminal connector 140.

.It will be noted that the Bakelite housing of the breaker such as 201 rests on the upper surface 215 of the molded block 10 and does not engage any of the electrical components of the bus assembly other than the terminal connector 14C. That is, as seen in Figures 7 and 8, the circuit breaker 201 is physically removed from the bus bar A.

It will be noted that the plurality of extending prongs 213, 214, 215 of clamping means 13 are respectively in alignment with extending prongs 216, 217, 218 of the clamping means 12 and respectively in alignment with the .terminal connectors 14C, 14B and 14A. Thus, for example, since the width of the prong 213 of the clamping means 13 is equal in width to the length of the-s1ot 211 of the circuit breaker, this prong 213 will be effective to laterally position the circuit breaker so that the slot 203 will be in alignment with the terminal connector 14C.

In like manner, the protruding prong 216 of the clamping means 12 will position the circuit breaker 200 so that its slot 203 is in alignment to receive the terminal connector 14C when the circuit breaker is rocked into position. Also, the prongs 213 and 215 will serve to align the circuit breakers 200, 201 as well as align them with the single terminal connector such as 14C to which they are to be electrically and mechanically connected.

The above description in connection with the connec tion of the circuit breakers 200 and 201 to the terminal means 14C applies to the remaining phases of the panel board. That is, as seen in the right hand portion of Figure 4, the circuit breakers will be positioned side by side along the length of the panel board.

It will be further noted that by providing a novel type of circuit breaker wherein the slot containing the resilient terminal members thereof communicates with both the bottom surface and end surface of the circuit breaker, it is possible to provide a unique arrangement in which two circuit breakers such as 200 and 201 can be connected to a single flat projecting terminal connector 14C. Thus, this novel arrangement enables both the circuit breakers 200 and 201 to be connected to phase C through a single terminal connector.

It will be noted that the circuit breakers which are adjacent on the left side of the circuit breakers 200 and 201 of Figure 7 will be connected to phase B (as seen in the extreme right of Figure 4) and the circuit breakers adjacent these last two mentioned circuit breakers will be connected to phase A.' Thus, for example, since it is a common practice to group the various loads together, it is possible that the six circuit breakers described immediately above would be, for example, individually connected to independent lighting or motor load. Thus, it is apparent that even though there is a single phase load, each set will be connected to a different phase or sequence phasing and thereby prevent unbalance of the three phase source.

Although my invention is primarily directed and particularly adaptable for single pole circuit breakers having a novel design as above described, it will be apparent that similar circuit breakers can be constructed with three poles and still provide the arrangement wherein two circuit breakers can be connected to the same terminal connector.

The circuit breakers 200 and 201 may be provided with protruding sections such as 225 which will serve to space the circuit breakers from each other as seen in the right hand section of Figure 4 to prevent electrical break-down between adjacent breakers.

It will be further noted that the protruding section 225 which may be a molded protrusion of the Bakelite housing of the breakers also provides air space between adjacent breakers so that the interrupt-ing units can be cooled by the circulation of air.

Another advantageous and novel feature of my invention is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. That is, the novel design whereby the circuit breaker such as 200 and 201 may be mechanically and electrically attached to the panel board and/ or removed without the necessity of unscrewing a clamping means, adjusting any units, or removing any other breakers than the single breaker desired to be attached or removed. Thus, for example, when the circuit breaker 200 is to be mechanically and electrically secured to the panel board, it is placed in a tilted position indicated by the solid line of Figure 8. 'Its slot or recess 211 is brought into mating relation with the protruding section 216 of the clamping means 12. The circuit breaker 200 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the dotted line illustration of Figure 8.

Since the slot 203 communicates with both the bottom surface and end surface of the circuit breaker, it will be able to receive one half of the terminal connector 14C and hence continued counterclockwise rotation of the circuit breaker 200 from the dotted position of Figure 8 to the solid position of Figure 7 is possible. Thus, in the solid position of Figure 7, the circuit breaker is firmly secured by means of the prong 216 at one end and by the resilient engagement of its terminals 2%, 207 with the terminal connector 14C at the other end. Thus, the circuit breaker 200 can be individually and independently mechanically and electrically mounted on the panel board by mere rotation of the circuit breaker without the need of adjusting any clamping means or mounting or removing any other circuit breakers. In like manner, the circuit breaker 200 can be removed from the panel board by rocking it in a clockwise direction from the solid position of Figure 7 to the dotted position of Figure 8.

As heretofore noted, since the slot 203 communicates with two adjacent sides of the circuit breaker, it can readily be attached or removed from the terminal connector 14C. Thus, the circuit breaker will be rocked from the dotted position of Figure 8 to the solid position of Figure 8 and thereafter merely lifted by the operator from the panel board.

Accordingly, it will now be apparent that the two clamping means 12 and 13 which not only serve to position and maintain a plurality of mounting blocks within the channel 11 by means of the key engagement between 100-401 and protrusion 96 in opening 97, but will also serve to position and maintain the circuit breakers on the panel board.

In the prior art arrangements, the panel board construction provided independent and individual mounting for the mounting blocks and for the circuit breakers to be secured thereto. Thus, it required that a first means be used to secure the mounting block to an appropriate channel and a second means to secure the circuit breakers to the mounting block. In my novel arrangement, the two clamping means 12 and 13 serve both functions.

Furthermore, in the prior art panel boards, it was necessary to either remove this assembly or adjust the circuit breaker clamping means whenever the circuit breaker was mounted on or removed from the panel board. My novel construction eliminates this disadvantage by providing a clamping means which positions and supports the mounting block in the channel and also serves to secure and support the circuit breakers on the mounting block.

In addition to the above advantages, only two clamping means 12 and 13 are required to removably position and hold any number of circuit breakers.

It will be noted that the circuit breakers 200 and 291 may be provided with a rectangular recessed portion such as 230 into which indicating cards may be placed. Thus, for example, the circuit breaker 200 indicates the recessed portion with no card spaced therein and the circuit breaker 201 illustrates a card 231 positioned within the recess. Thus, for example, clear identification of the circuit breaker can be obtained so that the operator will know that the circuit breaker 201 is connected to the load identified by XY.

After'the plurality of circuit breakers are mounted on the panel board, a single housing or cover 240, as seen in Figure 9, may be placed over the entire unit to house the major portion of the circuit breaker, the mounting block, the bus assembly and the channel. Hence, with this arrangement, only the upper portion of the circuit breakers which includes the handles 251 and the indicating cars 231 in the recess 23%) will be exposed.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A panel board arrangement for molded case circuit breakers comprising a plurality of molded blocks, bus bars, a channel and two clamping units; said plurality of molded blocks being identical in construction; each of said molded blocks having an overlap interlock design to permit adjacent blocks to overlap; said bus bars secured to said plurality of mounting blocks; said two clamping units positioning and securing said plurality of molded blocks to said channel and said two clamping units positioning and securing molded case circuit breakers to said plurality of molded blocks.

2. A panel board arrangement for mounting and electrically connecting a plurality of circuit breakers to a single electrical source comprising a mounting block and bus bars; said mounting block having longitudinal grooves extending the entire length thereof; said bus bars positioned in said longitudinal grooves; two of said longitudinal grooves communicating with one surface of said mounting block; three transverse channels in said mounting block communicating with said one surface of said mounting block and communicating with said two longitudinal grooves which communicate with said one surface of said mounting block; one of said longitudinal grooves communicating with a second surface of said mounting block; said second surface being parallel to said one surface; one of said three transverse channels communicating with said one longitudinal groove which communicates with said second surface; said mounting block having a plurality of recesses other than said grooves and channels to increase the creepage distance between said bus bars to thereby substantially reduce the dimensions of said mounting block.

3. A panel board arrangement for mounting and electrically connecting a plurality of molded case single pole circuit breakers to a single electrical source comprising a mounting block and bus bars; said mounting block having longitudinal grooves extending the entire length thereof; said bus bars positioned in said longitudinal grooves; transverse channels in said mounting block communicating with at least two of said longitudinal grooves; a channel; clamping means to position and secure said plurality of molded case single pole circuit breakers to said molded block; said clamping means positioning and securing said molded block to said channel.

4. A panel board arrangement for mounting and elec" trically connecting a plurality of molded case single pole circuit breakers to a single electrical source comprising a mounting block and bus bars; said mounting block having longitudinal grooves extending the entire length thereof; said bus bars positioned in said longitudinal grooves; two of said longitudinal grooves communicating with one surface of said mounting block; three transverse channels in said mounting block communicating with said one surface of said mounting block and communicating with said two longitudinal grooves which communicate with said one surface of said mounting block; one of said longitudinal grooves communicating with a second surface of said mounting block; said second surface being parallel to said one surface; one of said three transverse grooves communicating with said one longitudinal groove which communicates with said second surface; a channel; clamping means to position and secure said plurality of molded case single pole circuit breakers to said molded block; said clamping means positioning and securing said molded block to said channel.

5. A panel board arrangement for mounting and elec' trically connecting a plurality of circuit breakers to a single source comprising a plurality of mounting blocks and bus bars; each of said mounting blocks having a first, second and third longitudinal groove; said bus bars positioned in at least said first and third longitudinal groove; a first, second and third transverse channel in each of said plurality of blocks; said first, second and third transverse channels communicating with said first and third longitudinal groove; said first, second and third longi tudinal groove of each of said plurality of mounting blocks being in alignment respectively with the first, second and third longitudinal grooves of adjacent mounting blocks; a channel for said plurality of mounting blocks; two clamping units to position and secure said plurality of mounting blocks to said channel; a first, second and third terminal connector; said first and third longitudinal groove and said first, second and third transverse channels communicating with a first surface of said mounting block; said second longitudinal groove and said second transverse channel communicating with a second surface of said mounting block which is parallel to said first surface; a first, second and third terminal connector; said first terminal connector positioned and maintained in said first transverse channel and electrically and mechanically secured to said bus bar in said first channel; said second terminal connector positioned and maintained in said second transverse channel and electrically and mechan ically secured to said bus bar in said second channel; said third terminal connector positioned and maintained in said third transverse channel and electrically and mechanically secured to said bus bar in said third channel; said first, second and third terminal connectors being equally spaced and in alignment in the direction of said longitudinal grooves.

6. A panel board arrangement for mounting and electrically connecting a plurality of circuit breakers to a single source comprising a plurality of mounting blocks and bus bars; each of said mounting blocks having a first, second and third longitudinal groove; said bus bars positioned in at least said first and third longitudinal groove; a first, second and third transverse channel in each of said plurality of mounting blocks; said first, second and third transverse channels communicating with said first and third longitudinal groove; said first, second and third longitudinal groove of each of said plurality of mounting blocks being in alignment respectively with the first, second and third longitudinal grooves of adjacent mounting blocks; a first, second and third terminal connector for each of said plurality of mounting blocks; alternate mounting blocks having said first terminal connector positioned in said first transverse channel and mechanically and electrically connected to said bus bar in said first longitudinal groove; said second terminal connector positioned and maintained in said second transverse channel and mechanically and electrically connected to said bus bar in said third longitudinal groove; said third terminal connector positioned and maintained in said third transverse channel and mechanically and electrically connected to said bus bar in said first longitudinal groove.

7. A panel board arrangement for mountng and electrically connecting a plurality of molded case single pole circuit breakers to a single electrical source comprising a molded Bakelite block and bus bars; said molded insulating block having a first, second and third longitudinal groove to position said bus bars; said first and third longitudinal grooves communicating with an upper sur face of said molded block; said second longitudinal groove communicating with a lower surface of said molded block; a first, second and third transverse channel communicating with said upper surface of said molded block and said first and third longitudinal grooves; said second transverse channel communicating with said second longitudinal groove; a first, second and third terminal connector positioned and maintained, respectively, in said first, second and third transverse channel; said first, second and third terminal connectors electrically connected to bus bars positioned in said longitudinal grooves for either single phase or three phase operation; said terminal connectors protruding above the upper surface of said mounting block; spacing of said terminal connectors being equal for both single phase and three phase connection; said terminal connectors being in alignment in the direction of said bus bars; each of said terminal connectors adaptable to mechanically and electrically receive two circuit breakers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 946,409 Swallow Jan. 11, 1910 1,004,946 Kippen Oct, 3, 1911 1,821,987 Redshaw Sept. 8, 1931 2,086,796 Frank July 13, 1937 2,438,025 Taliaferro Mar. 16, 1948 2,439,326 Wilson Apr. 6, 1948 2,599,695 Christensen June 10, 1952 2,632,039 Hammerly Mar. 17, 1953 2,647,225 Cole et al. July 28, 1953 2,738,444 Casey Mar. 13, 1956 

